Bundy, 37, an employee of Peacock Tree Preservation in Portland, won this year's Pacific Northwest Chapter competition and finished 12th at nationals in Pasadena, Calif. Bundy also competed at nationals and internationals in 2012, finishing at internationals in the middle of the pack of about 40 climbers.

Bundy's interest in tree climbing developed after he moved to Oregon from Atlanta 14 years ago for a year of building trails with Americorps. He then moved on to plant and tree work, got interested in rock climbing and eventually merged his interests to become a tree-climbing arborist.

The competitions begin with climbers participating in five events, aerial rescue, belayed speed climb, secured footlock, throw line and work climb. Top finishers then move on to a masters final round that tests skills as climbers traverse the canopy, setting lines, ringing bells, moving out on branches, tossing limbs to targets and cleanly exiting.